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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU or is the doctor?

84 replies

Joulesismyfave · 08/12/2022 16:17

I took my 4 year old to the GP this afternoon as he’s had a cough coming up 2 weeks. He was unwell to start with (last week) and was off school. He went back on Monday and was still snotty/coughing but fine in himself, he was in Tuesday and tomorrow too. However at pick up they told me his cough sounded very deep and chesty.

I kept him off today and got him an appointment. He’s extremely congested too, he can hardly breathe out of his nose. Nothing seems to be clearing it. Using a saline spray regularly and a cool mist humidifier at bedtime.

GP listened to his chest, checked temp, checked him for a rash, looked in his throat. Said it was a lingering viral infection and antibiotics won’t do anything.
I tried to say that in the current climate I’d feel more at ease if he had a prescription for antibiotics, but he said it may do more harm than good, which I don’t really understand. Surely prevention is better than just ignoring it.

OP posts:
Duddlepucks · 08/12/2022 17:58

My boy is the same at the moment. I'm giving him honey as it seems to help with the coughing when it gets bad.

lookersnoopy · 08/12/2022 18:02

Joulesismyfave · 08/12/2022 16:28

I understand that, but he’s coughing and so snotty and congested. His nose is sore too. He’s struggling to sleep because of the cough and his voice sounds all nasally.

He sounds so poorly, which begs the question, why did you send him back to school?

He is either as bad as you say and never should have been back to school or you are exaggerating because nobody agrees with you re antibiotics.

CarefreeMe · 08/12/2022 18:07

YABVU
Please don’t push your anxiety onto your son.

Antibiotics are amazing things but they are still medicine that can come with many side effects.

Using them when you don’t need to can actually make him way more poorly and can increase the risk of antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotics can only work on bacterial infections, not viruses.
You might as well give him tic tacs.

Prescottdanni123 · 08/12/2022 18:30

Very gentle yabu, because you are understandably worried about strep A. If the dr feels confident that it is viral, then he was right not to prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is serious.

magicthree · 08/12/2022 19:09

If it's a viral infection then antibiotics won't do a thing, so why prescribe them? I'm sorry your child is ill, but it's just a case of letting the virus run its course. Dishing out antibiotics for every little thing is so wrong, and eventually will mean they don't work at all.

ladydimitrescu · 08/12/2022 19:35

You are so unreasonable- antibiotics do nothing for a virus, your child doesn't need them presently.
There's a shortage of antibiotics at the moment and they certainly shouldn't be being handed out for no reason.
If he gets more poorly, call 111.

CombatBarbie · 08/12/2022 20:36

Joulesismyfave · 08/12/2022 17:51

I’ve always been really worried about sepsis and other bacterial infections. So this kind of anxiety is normal for me, not just the current media stories.

But it's not bacterial, it's viral. Anti bs would do nothing but start building resistance.

Have you tried raising his pillow so the gunk doesn't lie on his chest.... and calpol on his feet, my 15yr DD still does this when full of cold 😂

Macaroni46 · 08/12/2022 20:42

Joulesismyfave · 08/12/2022 17:51

I’ve always been really worried about sepsis and other bacterial infections. So this kind of anxiety is normal for me, not just the current media stories.

But just because you're anxious doesn't mean the GP should prescribe your DC antibiotics! Maybe time to get help for your anxiety.

Fairislefandango · 08/12/2022 21:16

I’ve always been really worried about sepsis and other bacterial infections. So this kind of anxiety is normal for me, not just the current media stories.

If the doctor medicated your child based on your anxiety, rather than based on the doctor's professional diagnosis of your child's symptoms, they wouldn't be a very good doctor, would they?

Original poster
Joulesismyfave · 08/12/2022 21:25

@lookersnoopy

The reason I sent him back was because he was so much better in himself and wanting to go back and see his friends, running around the house and bouncing off the walls.

I also work and had already taken so much time off.

OP posts:
Balloonsandroses · 08/12/2022 21:31

That’s a very good reason to send him back to school. But why take such a well child to the doctor?

lookersnoopy · 08/12/2022 21:32

Joulesismyfave · 08/12/2022 21:25

@lookersnoopy

The reason I sent him back was because he was so much better in himself and wanting to go back and see his friends, running around the house and bouncing off the walls.

I also work and had already taken so much time off.

That's doesn't match your description of him unthread though. He can't be well enough for school and so bad you think he needs antibiotics at the same time.

Original poster
Joulesismyfave · 08/12/2022 21:35

He’s mostly fine in himself, although a little off his food, but coughing and very congested, he’s snoring now in bed, which is unusual for him, that’s because he’s so bunged up.

OP posts:
gaf · 08/12/2022 21:52

Because he has a cold. Try propping his pillow up.

CombatBarbie · 08/12/2022 22:03

CombatBarbie · 08/12/2022 20:36

But it's not bacterial, it's viral. Anti bs would do nothing but start building resistance.

Have you tried raising his pillow so the gunk doesn't lie on his chest.... and calpol on his feet, my 15yr DD still does this when full of cold 😂

Show quote history

Vapo rub on his feet....... Its been a long day.....

Isahlo · 08/12/2022 22:07

Joulesismyfave · 08/12/2022 17:51

I’ve always been really worried about sepsis and other bacterial infections. So this kind of anxiety is normal for me, not just the current media stories.

I’m not saying this to be an arse. I genuinely want to hell

have you thought about some counselling or therapy for your health anxiety

(nearly died from sepsis, and had a lot of similar anxieties)

Blowthemandown · 08/12/2022 22:09

Joulesismyfave · 08/12/2022 16:28

I understand that, but he’s coughing and so snotty and congested. His nose is sore too. He’s struggling to sleep because of the cough and his voice sounds all nasally.

@Joulesismyfave if it is a virus and not bacterial then antibiotics won’t do anything and also if everyone were prescribed antibiotics in that way they’d lose effectiveness. Coughs can take some time to clear even after the infection is over and done. You can only treat the symptoms.

Teder · 08/12/2022 22:10

Joulesismyfave · 08/12/2022 21:25

@lookersnoopy

The reason I sent him back was because he was so much better in himself and wanting to go back and see his friends, running around the house and bouncing off the walls.

I also work and had already taken so much time off.

That’s not a child with a serious bacterial infection or any signs of sepsis.

HeBeaverandSheBeaver · 08/12/2022 22:13

Best treatment for a cold cough

Warm bed
Vicks or child Vicks on feet and chest
Raise mattress a little to ease congestion (only in older kids)
Calpol
Hot drink
Vaseline under nose

Original poster
Joulesismyfave · 08/12/2022 22:59

I know I sound irrational, but to me it feels very real.

My younger brother was very unwell when I was 16, he was 14. He was absolutely fine one day with a slight cough and cold symptoms. The next day he was basically unresponsive and blue lighted to hospital, put into an induced coma and later diagnosed with encephalitis which came on as a result of a viral infection. He’s fine now, he was very lucky , but I believe this traumatic experience has stayed with me.

OP posts:
SavingKitten · 08/12/2022 23:03

Joulesismyfave · 08/12/2022 17:51

I’ve always been really worried about sepsis and other bacterial infections. So this kind of anxiety is normal for me, not just the current media stories.

This post says it all OP. Your child can’t have antibiotics because YOU have anxiety, it’s wrong.

But that aside, your GP wasn’t being UR, but if things change or you need a second opinion, go get it. I no not everyone will agree, but if it was my child I’d do it.

Dappy1212 · 09/12/2022 00:51

"surely prevention is better than just ignoring it."

I think this explains a lot of your thinking pattern. You are clearly worried about "it" being something else other than a viral infection. The media at present is frightening a lot of parents but if you find yourself anxious about other things and not just this then think about maybe getting some support for anxiety.

It can be so tough when children are unwell, sometimes we just want something or anything to get them better. In this case it is time and rest as well as lots of TLC. Viral infections can be nasty and I hope your little one gets better soon.

SeaToSki · 09/12/2022 01:17

Look for a childrens cough and cold medicine that has guafenisin in it. It is a mucuus thinner and will help him cough up and snot out all the grunk.

Nat6999 · 09/12/2022 01:36

A warm steamy bath or shower before bed. Child Vicks vaporub on the soles of his feet & socks on for the cough, you can also put some on his chest & back, prop him up in bed, an extra pillow will help. See a pharmacist tomorrow & ask what he suggests re cough medicine or decongestants. You can also get Vicks plug ins that would fill his room with menthol & aid breathing, a wet towel on his radiator would also help.

MissMaple82 · 09/12/2022 01:44

Fgs you don't use antibiotics as a preventative measure!